OSCE facilitates public discussion on implementation of Free Access to Information Law

Public discussion on the implementation of the Free Access to Information Act supported by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and in co-operation with the Agency for the Protection of Personal Data and Free Access to Information, took place on 21 April 2015 in Niksic.

The discussion gathered citizens, representatives of civil society, media, state and local institutions involved in the implementation of the Law, with an aim to present the provisions and raise awareness about the right to access information.

OSCE Mission Senior Policy Planning and Co-ordination Officer Alyn Roberts emphasised that the OSCE considers the Free Access to Information Law as a vital tool for empowering citizens in the decision making process. “The full and proper implementation of the Law is essential in the fight against corruption – and combatting corruption effectively is one of the highest priorities for Montenegro,” said Roberts.

Radenko Lacmanovic, Council of the Agency for Data Protection representative, presented the experience of the Agency in the last two years and reminded civil servants about their obligations under the Law

This public debate is part of a project funded by Switzerland, Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.